how can you get a diagnosis for dementia ?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

As I said upthread - waiting lists vary from area to area.

You should not have to wait for an assessment, your GP will do the mini test then refer to the Memory Clinic if he thinks there is any chance this could be Dementia. It is not acceptable to wait too long for the Memory Clinic, who do all the test and here where I am you spend most of the day in the clinic doing various tests, an interview with your carer and separate interviews too. It is mainly the YOD (young onset Dementia i.e. under 65, which have a long waiting list as that is very specialised. It is essential you get a diagnoses ASAP to be able to get the medication and support required to make it easier all around. I am sorry you are possibly facing a future with dementia it is a difficult path.

MCI can be a lead to other dementias or stay at the same level for ages.

ordinarygirl

my husband has been on the waiting list for over 18 months even to get an appointment with the practice memory nurse let alone a referral to a specialist. I've been told that the list is very long. The Alzheimer society states that is the state of the NHS and no advice how to get help earlier. So my question is - how do people get a diagnosis when you can't even see a medical professional ? anybody gone private and if so what is the cost?

My father got an appointment at a memory clinic and the dis-interested Consultant said he had Mild Cognitive Impairment. He didn't. He had Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia. The different amazing Consultant we saw a good year later confirmed Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia. Actually one thing that helped at that point was the Consultant said she was obliged to inform DVLA. Dad was then obliged to be seen by GP (obvs I went with). He was referred to DVLA assessment. I had been worried about his driving. Thankfully, on assessing him, they revoked his licence on the spot. He was very angry with the very nice lady who assessed him and every time it came into his mind randomly for months he was angry again. I thanked the lady as dad was a danger to others and himself on the road. It is my understanding, although I didn't know this before seeing the good Consultant, people can raise a concern about someone's driving ability. It is likely to lead to a mandatory GP appointment and referral to DVLA. This may help if a relative is concerned about someone's mental capacity. I hope it gets sorted. Dementia is the most awful disease

Most assuredly you need a POA in place now, and make sure that both your and your husband¨s wills are as you want them.

Discuss with his and your bank what will happen if he becomes unable to manage his affairs himself, and open a seperate bank account for yourself , if you do not already have one, and I gather from gransnet that many women in the U.K. don't, and make sure that your pension or earnings go into it, as joint accounts may not be accessible to you if your husband is deemed incompetent.

I know this has nothing to do with getting a diagnosis, but if the diagnosis is as you fear, it will have to be dealt with, so do it now.

Whose name is the house in?

Ask the Alzheimer's association for help - they are usually effecient and helpful and pester your, or rather your husband's GP until you get an early appointment.

You might just have to keep pestering the surgery. My husband has just received a diagnosis of early stage Alzheimers after approx 18 months test, including 2 CT scans (first was 'inconclusive') and various psychometric tests
Disappointed to hear the news today that Donanemab is too expensive to be funded by the NHS, as this drug would be suitable for many in the early stages.
Good luck, and hope you get an appointment soon.

We live in Wiltshire too and asked for a referral about 6 months ago and are still waiting to get seen. My husband has had the 30 questions test and we were told that it was ‘Ok’ but we had to press to get the referal, as myself and our long-standing friends have been noticing changes in him for months if not years especially repeatedly asking the same question within 5-10 minutes, the latest ‘quirk’ being that he makes a drink tea/coffee and puts the used teaspoon dirty back in the cutlery drawer oblivious to what he’s doing

Hi Ordinary Girl, Before the NHS collapsed, we had several telephone appointments with the family GP about our Mum. It took years to get a formal diagnosis but there was an understanding. Finally when she was in hospital with pneumonia, we refused to let her come home without the scans and tests and finally got a diagnosis. It was so obvious by then. If your husbands behaviour is causing you problems, can you ask your gp for a telephone appointment to discuss as the memory clinic is not available. The stress on the carer in this situation can be enormous snd if you are finding life hard, I am hoping that your GP could initiate some support for you. Good Luck

Thank you all for your answers. When we lived in Devon my husband had an initial test and that was the reason for a referral for more tests and help. It is Wiltshire that is the problem. No help whatsoever from the local surgery. Just told he will have to wait for an initial test at the surgery. No idea of the timescale but just told the wait is VERY long. He will be dead by the time he gets it! Hence i would be happy to pay for a blood test etc
I have had POA

thanks again

Same as Bluebelle. I asked the GP for an appointment for my husband to a memory clinic. Seen by one of the Drs, who referred us to a local memory clinic, in turn they sent their assessment to a specialist doctor who then referred us to a local driving assessment centre. He also put DH onto a medication which is intended to slow the condition. All in all about 6 months and in that time we have also been seen by Dementia Nurse (at home) and also a Care in the Community Support Worker. Lots of support and information. I think it must be the area you live in for it to take so long to get onto a pathway, I certainly cannot complain how we have been treated. The worst thing was DH having to give up driving. I am now the sole driver in the household and have to do things like go to the Tip with household rubbish!

Think we are in a good area. But for us, we had a Gp appointment, he did the test. Then referred us to a memory clinic, where my husband was diagnosed. We’ve had excellent service from them. Good luck.

Keep on pushing for a GP appointment at least and in the meantime keep a diary of all incidents, changes in behaviour etc. - this will help you keep track and also be valuable information when you finally see a clinician.

Stay strong ordinarygirl and do keep in touch on GN

We spoke to our GP who did a simple test for my husband and said everything was OK, however she would book us an appointment for the memory clinic as it had a long waiting list. 6 months later my husband was diagnosed with dementia. A brain scan followed very quickly and vascular dementia confirmed. You can go private and fees are around £800. We are based in Edinburgh. I saw the changes in behaviour etc at least 12 months before diagnosis.

You haven't said if you have contacted the GP surgery again. Sometimes referrals just got lost / slip through the net. It is unusual for an appointment within the practice to take this long.
So if you haven't contacted them recently, I would - maybe ask to speak to the practice manager?
Apologies if you have tried this route.

Yes, Lisasngel. She did the clocks and remembering an address, etc. At least she was reassured and told NFA needed.

Try ringing Admiral Nurses via Dementia UK for advice.

Waits for memory clinic appointments vary considerably area by area.

The waiting lists have shortened here but I think that fewer MRI scans are being done.

Private appointments are often available.

Georgesgran

My sister in law was having a routine blood test at her surgery and mentioned that she thought her memory was poor.
The Nurse did the test there and then - passed with flying colours.

That’s just a very basic few questions. A full diagnosis takes over an hour and is undertaken by a psychologist. It is questions, diagrams, drawing hands on a clock and quite a lot more.

When you speak to your GP , don't hold back tell him / her exactly what is going on. It may be difficult because without POA your GP may be unwilling to discuss your husband's health. Be brave and forthright and I send you strength.

My sister in law was having a routine blood test at her surgery and mentioned that she thought her memory was poor.
The Nurse did the test there and then - passed with flying colours.

My husband was diognosed last March ,we were lucky the process was speedy. 18 months is too long to wait .
No advice other than to continue pestering your GP and don't pull any punches. Do you have POA? this is really important and will make your a stressful situation so much easier for you. If you haven't a POA I strongly suggest you do so ASAP. Caring for a husband with Alzheimer's Disease (even in the early stages) is very difficult and anything you can do to help the yourself is essential .

I have just googled and found our local memory clinic with contact infuriation and also there’s lots about the mini mental test of 30 questions to look at.
Good luck.

I don’t think there are long waits for Memory clinics, contact the surgery and ask. Or try to contact a clinic direct and see what they say.
I wouldn’t waste money paying.
There is a test of 30 questions which is used to help diagnose dementia, you will probably find it online.
I am sorry, it’s a cruel disease.

Must depend on your area Two acquaintances (not known to each other) have recently been referred and were both seen fairly quickly at memory clinic with follow ons at local hospital
18 months is ridiculous can you not see your GP and ask for a request to memory clinic